Looking for answers

Nearly a month ago, the Parliamentary Budget Office wrote to 83 departments of government seeking details of the cuts cited in this year’s budget. Today, the PBO reported back on the responses received so far.

On April 12, 2012, the PBO issued Information Request 0080 to all organizations affected by the spending reductions announced in Budget 2012. The data will be used to support parliamentarians’ consideration of the savings measures proposed in Budget 2012. Specifically, those aspects relating to planned allocation of savings on departmental program activities, personnel reductions, and service level impacts.

As of May 4, 2012, 8 departments have responded to the PBO’s request. Although this represents 9.64% of departments implicated in Budget 2012 savings measures, the responding departments are small and therefore this figure only represents 0.06% of the total savings measures and 0.61% of planned personnel reductions.

There are no details. These guys are making it up as they go along. Both fans and critics of Stephen Harper do Canadians a disservice in portraying him as some inscrutable chess master. He’s not even thinking one move ahead, just acting on the current news cycle and there is no plan other than ad hoc cuts (or they would be able to provide cost benefit analysis in every department.)

Notice: Your email may not yet have been verified. Please check your email, click the link to verify your address, and then submit your comment. If you can't find this email, access your profile editor to re-send the confirmation email. You must have a verified email to submit a comment. Once you have done so, check again.

Sign In / Sign Up

With your existing account from

With an email account

Commenters who signed up before June 26th, 2014 will have to reregister on our new, social-friendly login system. The good news? The process should only take a few minutes, and you're welcome to use the same email address.

Almost Done!

Please confirm the information below before signing up.

{* #socialRegistrationForm *}
{* socialRegistration_firstName *}
{* socialRegistration_lastName *}
{* socialRegistration_emailAddress *}
{* socialRegistration_displayName *}
By clicking "Create Account", I confirm that I have read and understood each of the website terms of service and privacy policy and that I agree to be bound by them.